Our take
Remarkably Bright Creatures adapts Shelby Van Pelt's novel about widowed aquarium cleaner Tova and drifter Cameron bonding over a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. It is rated PG-13 for thematic material, strong language, suggestive references, and brief drug use. Expect talk of a son's drowning, a mother's overdose, a gun threat, and scattered profanity including one f-word. Sally Field and Lewis Pullman deliver a warm, small-town story about loneliness and healing. Fine for thoughtful teens; younger kids may find the grief themes sad or confusing
Uplifting themes
Kindness, intergenerational friendship, and finding purpose after loss anchor the story Tova models dignity, hard work, and patience; Cameron grows into responsibility and care Introduces octopus intelligence and aquarium stewardship in an accessible way
Story (may spoil tone)
Through unlikely bonds formed during night shifts at a local aquarium, Tova, an elderly widow, learns of a life-changing discovery that may bring her joy and wonder once again.
What we flagged
Scores are 0–5: 0 means none; 5 means the strongest we flagged in that category.
Details
Violence A gun is waved during a confrontation; an octopus hunting flashback and…
A gun is waved during a confrontation; an octopus hunting flashback and sprained ankle are the main physical beats
Language One f-word plus scattered s-words, mild profanity, and frequent 'God' e…
One f-word plus scattered s-words, mild profanity, and frequent 'God' exclamations
Sex / nudity Flirting, dating advice, and gossip about affairs or STDs, no nudity or…
Flirting, dating advice, and gossip about affairs or STDs, no nudity or sex scenes
Drugs / alcohol Wine and beer socially; Cameron's mother smoked marijuana and later die…
Wine and beer socially; Cameron's mother smoked marijuana and later died of an overdose
Frightening Emotional sadness outweighs scares; a brief gun moment and drowning mem…
Emotional sadness outweighs scares; a brief gun moment and drowning memories may unsettle sensitive viewers
Self-harm / suicide Town gossip briefly wonders if Tova's son's boating death was intention…
Town gossip briefly wonders if Tova's son's boating death was intentional; later accidental
Sexual violence No sexual violence found in this title
No sexual violence found in this title
Child peril / abuse Cameron's unstable childhood and foster placements are discussed, not s…
Cameron's unstable childhood and foster placements are discussed, not shown in detail
Bullying / discrimination A character mentions hiding his sexuality from a strict father; mild to…
A character mentions hiding his sexuality from a strict father; mild town gossip
Gore / death / weapons No graphic gore; a firearm appears briefly and past deaths are talked a…
No graphic gore; a firearm appears briefly and past deaths are talked about, not depicted graphically
Dangerous behaviour Marcellus escapes his tank at night; kids at the aquarium misbehave aro…
Marcellus escapes his tank at night; kids at the aquarium misbehave around exhibits
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health Grief, loneliness, and decades of unresolved loss drive both lead chara…
Grief, loneliness, and decades of unresolved loss drive both lead characters
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Tova mourns her son and husband; Cameron carries abandonment and his mo…
Tova mourns her son and husband; Cameron carries abandonment and his mother's overdose
Talk after watching
- Tova lost her son decades ago and still wonders if she could have prevented it. How do families carry guilt after a tragedy?
- Cameron grew up moving between caregivers and came to town looking for his father. What makes someone feel like they belong?